The Victor 1 Coastal VFR Flight Plan

Fly the Victor 1 Sydney Coastline

When I first became a qualified pilot, I was thrilled to learn that even with just a Recreational Pilot's license, I had the freedom to fly up to a radius of 25 nautical miles in uncontrolled/Class G airspace out of my base training airport (Bankstown Airport in Sydney, Australia).

This meant that I had to get myself checked out for one of the most beautiful scenic VFR flights in the world, the V1 (or Victor 1) Coastal South/North flight. For any pilot, new or veteran, this is one route you've got to try if you are based in or ever visiting the Harbour City.

This article aims to make understanding this route simple since, in practice, this flight would require a few radio calls and changes to radio frequencies. Also, don't forget to wear life jackets, given you will only be flying 500 feet MSL over the Tasman Sea!

How to Fly the Victor 1 Coastal VFR Route

Here is the best way to travel along the Victor 1 Costal VFR Route from start to finish.

1. Takeoff!

Depart Bankstown Airport using runways 11L or 11 C/29R or 29 C after requesting taxi and clearance for a crosswind departure.

• If taking off from runways 29R/29C, climb to an altitude of 1,000 feet (Local QNH).
• If taking off from runways 11L/11C, climb to an altitude of 1,500 feet (Local QNH).

After reaching 500 feet, track towards Parramatta CBD while monitoring Bankstown Airport's tower frequency of 132.80 Mhz. Use your VTC to identify the switch from Bankstown Tower frequency to Sydney Tablelands Frequency (124.55 Mhz). Also, change squawk to 1200-ALT from 3000-ALT after passing the Prospect pipelines between Bankstown Airport and Parramatta CBD.

2. Climb Near Parramatta

Near Parramatta, climb to an altitude of 2,000 feet and track towards the Pennant Hills strobe light (VTC Mag Track 020). Keep the hospital on your right.

3. Switch to Cydney Centre

After passing Pennant Hills, switch to Sydney Centre at 125.80 Mhz.

4. Turn Towards Terrey Hills

Between Pennant Hills and Hornsby CBD, turn right towards Terrey Hills (look towards the Terrey Hills weather radar and then the Baha'i temple—they will appear as two white dots behind each other).

Should you wish, you can climb up to an altitude of 2,500 feet, but this is optional, given you will descend to 500 feet very soon.

5. Track Towards Long Reef

Bear/turn right and track towards Long Reef (look for the putting green protruding out ahead to the sea) near Terrey Hills, keeping the electric substation to your right. Keep monitoring Sydney Centre at 125.80 Mhz and descend to 500 feet.

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6. Make Three Radio Calls

At Long Reef, switch to Victor 1 Coastal Traffic CTAF at 120.80 Mhz and make a general radio call attention to Victor 1 traffic to advise you will be coastal flying the V1 southern route at 500 feet.

Stay clear of the heads and make two more generic radio calls at Bondi and Maroubra.

7. Cronulla

You will reach Cronulla after crossing Kurnell Water Plant—you can contour fly Cronulla coast if you wish, but it's not mandatory.

Ensure you DO NOT fly over 500 feet, as this will make you enter controlled Class-C airspace around Sydney's Kingsford Smith International Airport.

Also, when flying past Cronulla, watch out for jets on final for runways 34L/34R and ensure you stay clear of any jetwash/wake turbulence.

8. Stay South

Keep tracking south and stay clear of higher south coast terrain after Jibbon Point until reaching Sea Cliff Bridge. Passing Jibbon Point, switch back to Sydney Tablelands Centre at 124.55 Mhz and maintain 500 feet at sea (or climb to 1,000 feet).

9. Climb at Sea Cliff Bridge

At Sea Cliff Bridge, WATCH OUT for Paragliders, climb to 3,500 feet while orbiting left, and make your way inland towards Wedderburn/Appin (keep Wedderburn airstrip to the right).

10. Turn North at the Hume Motorway

After crossing Appin, look for the Hume Motorway and turn north, track the highway, and look for 2RN (listed as TWO RN on the VTC). Keep Campbelltown to the right to ensure you don't encroach on restricted airspace near Holsworthy.

Switch to Bankstown ATIS at 120.90 Mhz, followed by Bankstown tower (132.80), and make your inbound call over 2RN at 1,500 feet. Change squawk back to 3000-ALT.

11. Finish the Flight!

Depending on the runway in use, maintain 1,500 feet and either head towards Warwick Farm and set up for final (runways 11L/11C) or track towards North Sydney CBD before orientating towards Parramatta CBD when crosswind to the airport. Turn downwind near the Velodrome and follow instructions from the tower.

Have a Safe Flight!

There you have it, a step-by-step plan for any pilot to use on the Victor 1 Costal VFR Route. Remember to stay safe; pay attention to surrounding air traffic and don't forget to make your calls to Victor 1. Other than that, have fun and enjoy the beautiful Australian coastline!

Suggested Reading

• How to Create Navplans for VFR flights
  I am marking my return to this community after two years by writing about creating Navigation/Navplans for day VFR flights in Australia.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.